No Shit, Sherlock: The Case of the Cultural Literacy Conundrum

Mamacita says:  Sometimes, teachers assume that their students have a background in cultural literacy when in fact they do not.  And sometimes, helping a student make and understand a connection between one thing and another, makes it all worthwhile.    Sometimes, … Continue reading

Censorship is for Chumps

Mamacita says:  If I owned the biggest and best thesaurus in the universe, I still would not be able to find a word accurate enough to fully express my disgust and loathing of book banning and censorship, nor of the … Continue reading

Classroom Tips for the Hovering and the Worried

Dear Parents, In this day and age of instant computer access to your child’s progress in the classroom, complete with specifics as to percentage and behavior, please don’t call your child’s teacher daily and ask for an average, at least, … Continue reading

Nightmare #3, by Stephen Vincent Benet

Mamacita says:  Nightmare #3: When I did my student teaching, this poem was in the seventh grade literature book.  I’d never seen it before, and it made a definite impression on me.  I absolutely loved it, and I still love … Continue reading

The Time of the Season *

Mamacita says: Remember those scenes in You’ve Got Mail where Meg Ryan is talking about how, even at her age, she still loves the time of the season when the leaves are colorful, the weather is divine, and every store … Continue reading

. . . So I Blocked Her on Facebook

Mamacita says: I had to block someone on Facebook last night. I’ve only ever done that a few times, and it always makes me feel like I’ve failed somehow, even though I tried my best to be nice. Mom used … Continue reading